ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ groups unite to denounce cuts to universities
"We call on the government of Quebec to reverse these dangerous cuts and we appeal to Quebec society as a whole to join together to protect and sustain the universities as a key resource for the future health and prosperity of our society," reads the statement (the full statement can be found below).
The statement reiterates the "enormous benefit" of universities to society, highlighting that the "knowledge of the human and natural world" that they have developed over the centuries "have been critical in achieving material and social advances." The signatories call the cuts "sudden, severe, and dangerous", as well as "a real threat to the health of our university system and the future well-being of Quebec society."
The statement was signed by the ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Association of University Teachers (MAUT), the Students' Society of ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ (SSMU), the Post-Graduate Students' Society (PGSS), the ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Non-Academic Certified Association (MUNACA), the ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Non-Academic Staff Association (MUNASA), the Service Employees International Union (SEU) and Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum.
STATEMENT
A university is a living community of students, professors, librarians, support staff, and administrators whose collective work drives the research and teaching activities that develop new knowledge and deploy existing knowledge. Knowledge of the human and natural world has been critical in achieving material and social advances over the centuries. The contributions of universities have been and will continue to be of enormous benefit to society. On December 6, 2012 and February 8, 2013, the government of Quebec unexpectedly announced budget cuts to its university system of $124 M within the current (2012-13) fiscal year, and a similar cut to follow in the 2013-14 year. These cuts are sudden, severe, and dangerous. They are a real threat to the health of our university system and the future well-being of Quebec society.
We call on the government of Quebec to reverse these dangerous cuts and we appeal to Quebec society as a whole to join together to protect and sustain the universities as a key resource for the future health and prosperity of our society.
Alvin Shrier, President, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Association of University Teachers

Josh Redel, President, Students' Society of ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ

Jonathan Mooney, Secretary-General, Post-Graduate Students' Society

Ron Critchley, President, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Non-Academic Staff Association

Kevin Whittaker, President, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Non-Academic Certified Association

Robert Huot, President, Trades union, Service Employees International Union

Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ